April 2010

Celebrating Mothers --- and Your Local Libraries

The long days of sunshine and the greening of the landscape here in the northeast have been so welcome after a long gray winter. I feel like there is a real spring in my step!

Earlier this month, I learned some very frustrating news about libraries. In an effort to reduce budgets and save money, many town governments across the country are seriously considering cutting funding and resources for libraries, or even closing them. My mother recently attended a town meeting where this topic was put on the table in my hometown, and it immediately got a lot of people up in arms.

This was very upsetting to both of us, as you can imagine. I, like many of you, have so many fond memories of our town library. I remember going there during my childhood, teen years, college years and into adulthood, and just being among the books. Over the years I've met a number of librarians and learned about so many great books from them --- and have shared those I enjoy as well. And it's always so special to visit the library and see young people there, whether it's for story time or school projects or just browsing. I know we've all been affected by the economy, but closing one of the few true community places is not the answer to save money!

I hope all of you can take up this cause and ask your local librarians how you can get involved. The first step is simply visiting your library. If you haven't been there in a while, maybe it's time to renew your library card. Check out their weekly and monthly event programming. Try to bring along a younger person and get them excited about reading. Ask them if they need your support with budget issues and ask how you can get involved.

On a state level in New Jersey, we have learned that the governor has called for a 75% cut in library funding. And thus we are writing and making calls about that as well. I have learned never to assume that "someone else is taking care of this." You have to reach out and get involved.

On a national level, there will be a rally in Washington, DC on Tuesday, June 29th as part of Library Advocacy Day. I will be there for the rally and to meet with legislators from my state to voice my opinion on this. You can be a part of this day as well. You can learn more about what you can do here.

Switching gears, we have compiled a number of mom-perfect reads in our Mother's Day roundup. We encourage you to take a look at these fiction and nonfiction selections and see which ones you'd like to give to your mother on her special day. Over at Bookreporter.com, we are celebrating Mother's Day MONTH (because all mothers deserve more than just one day!), where we are featuring not only a wonderful series of blog posts from authors and their mothers, but also our annual contest. We are giving away 15 baskets filled with a collection of 12 titles form our pool of 36 books, as well as some Mother's Day-themed items. The deadline for entries is Monday, May 3rd at noon ET.

On FaithfulReader.com this month, we're featuring a contest for Jerome R. Corsi's debut novel, THE SHROUD CODEX. The author may sound familiar as he has written several bestselling political books over the years, but this is his first step into fiction. We have 20 copies to give away to those who enter here by Tuesday, June 1st at noon ET.

Four new study guides have been added to the site: ROOMS by James L. Rubart, IN HARM'S WAY: Heroes of Quantico, Book 3 by Irene Hannon, SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY by Siri Mitchell and SWORN TO PROTECT: Call of Duty, Book 2 by DiAnn Mills. You can also read an excerpt from SIXTEEN BRIDES, Stephanie Grace Whitson's newest novel.

In addition, we're featuring two author interviews. Linda Lee Chaikin talks about her latest novel, THE SPOILS OF EDEN, the first book in her Dawn of Hawaii series, which traces the Polynesian culture and the history of the islands. Also, Siri Mitchell discusses her research and inspiration for SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY, an historical romance set during the Gilded Age in New York City.

Among the new reviews added to our Faithful Fiction, Christian Living, and Marriage and Family Life sections are IMAGINARY JESUS by Matt Mikalatos (we're also awarding a copy of the book to the winner of our Word of Mouth contest), ESSENTIALS FOR LIFE: Your Back-to-Basics Guide to What Matters Most by Marcia Ford, and MOMMY POWER: Discovering Your Mommy Strength by Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman.

And finally, the nominees for the 2010 Christy Awards were announced recently. Read on to learn more about these prestigious awards, which recognize novelists and novels of excellence in several genres of Christian fiction.

To all the mothers out there, have a wonderful day with your loved ones --- and here's hoping it might extend a little longer than that!

Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])

 

Special Contest and Feature: THE SHROUD CODEX by Jerome R. Corsi

SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY by Siri Mitchell (Historical Fiction)
For a young society woman seeking a favorable marriage, so much depends on her social season debut. Clara Carter has been given one goal: secure the affections of the city's most eligible bachelor. Debuting means plenty of work --- there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity's spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling.

-Click here to read more about SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY.
-Click here to read an interview with Siri Mitchell.
-Click here to read Siri Mitchell’s bio.
 

SWORN TO PROTECT: Call of Duty, Book 2 by DiAnn Mills (Romantic Suspense)
Border Patrol Agent Danika Morales has sworn to protect the southern borders of our nation, but that oath has cost her. Two years ago, her husband, Toby, was killed trying to help the very immigrants Danika was responsible for sending back to Mexico. His murder was never solved. But now, a recent string of attacks and arrests leads her to believe that someone in McAllen is profiting from sneaking undocumented immigrants into the country…and it may somehow be tied to Toby’s death.

-Click here to read more about SWORN TO PROTECT.
-Click here to read an excerpt from SWORN TO PROTECT.
-Click here to read DiAnn Mills’s bio.
 

SIXTEEN BRIDES by Stephanie Grace Whitson (Historical Fiction)
In 1872, sixteen Civil War widows living in St. Louis respond to a series of meetings conducted by a land speculator who lures them west by promising "prime homesteads" in a "booming community." Unbeknownst to them, the speculator's true motive is to find an excuse to bring women to the fledging community of Plum Grove, Nebraska, in hopes they will accept marriage proposals shortly after their arrival!

-Click here to read an excerpt from SIXTEEN BRIDES.
-Click here to read Stephanie Grace Whitson’s bio.